KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has backed Shahid Afridi over his demand for a batting coach, saying than an experienced expert can help the national team improve its performance with the bat.
Speaking on Geo’s Score programme on Monday, Akram said that most of the international teams have the services of full-time batting coaches, adding that Pakistan should also follow suit.
“Pakistan certainly need a batting coach because he can help them out overcome technical problems,” said the legendary fast bowler.
Afridi, the Pakistan skipper, has said in a recent interview that his team needs a batting coach.
Akram welcomed Pakistan’s decision to rest Umar Gul, their pace spearhead, for the upcoming series against West Indies.
“It’s a good idea to rest Umar Gul because he had been playing non-stop cricket and there was a risk that he might have injured himself in West Indies,” said Akram.
Akram agreed that Pakistan have an inexperienced pace attack but was quick to add that it was a good move to give youngsters a chance.
“Our pace attack seems a bit week and inexperienced but I believe that Waqar (Younis) and Aaqib (Javed) can bring the best out of these young boys,” he said referring to the two coaches of the Pakistan team.
Akram said that Pakistan’s coaches should work on curbing the bowlers’ tendency to give away too many extras.
“We have been conceding too many wides in recent times,” he said. “When a frontline fast bowler gives away extras while trying to go for the wickets then its understandable but you can’t expect medium pacers and spinners to give away so many extras,” said Akram, who is currently working as a bowling consultant for Kolkata Knightriders in the Indian Lremier League.
Speaking on Geo’s Score programme on Monday, Akram said that most of the international teams have the services of full-time batting coaches, adding that Pakistan should also follow suit.
“Pakistan certainly need a batting coach because he can help them out overcome technical problems,” said the legendary fast bowler.
Afridi, the Pakistan skipper, has said in a recent interview that his team needs a batting coach.
Akram welcomed Pakistan’s decision to rest Umar Gul, their pace spearhead, for the upcoming series against West Indies.
“It’s a good idea to rest Umar Gul because he had been playing non-stop cricket and there was a risk that he might have injured himself in West Indies,” said Akram.
Akram agreed that Pakistan have an inexperienced pace attack but was quick to add that it was a good move to give youngsters a chance.
“Our pace attack seems a bit week and inexperienced but I believe that Waqar (Younis) and Aaqib (Javed) can bring the best out of these young boys,” he said referring to the two coaches of the Pakistan team.
Akram said that Pakistan’s coaches should work on curbing the bowlers’ tendency to give away too many extras.
“We have been conceding too many wides in recent times,” he said. “When a frontline fast bowler gives away extras while trying to go for the wickets then its understandable but you can’t expect medium pacers and spinners to give away so many extras,” said Akram, who is currently working as a bowling consultant for Kolkata Knightriders in the Indian Lremier League.
